Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen -- a U.S. Marine combat veteran who spent nearly 17 years with the Tampa Police Department -- was pronounced dead around 1 a.m. following the collision on Interstate 275. Tampa Chief Brian Dugan says the driver of the rental car that struck Madsen’s police vehicle -- 25-year-old Joshua Daniel Montague, of Golden, Colorado -- also died from the impact. "He earned our life-saving award seven times during his career," Dugan said of Madsen on Tuesday morning. "We have reason to believe that he had veered into this oncoming car to protect others." Tampa Mayor Jane Castor told reporters Tuesday that City Hall and the area’s bridges will light up in blue tonight in honor of Madsen.

Source: Fox News March 09, 2021 19:18 UTC